Early Books on Sirat and History — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 1
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Early Books on Sirat and History.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: I-Early Sources of Sirat & Islamic History
Pages: Book pp. 39–43 (PDF pp. 63–67)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Books of Exegesis] | Next: [A Brief Note on Waqidi] »
Historical Account
Sīrat and history is a third category in this regard. The primary objective of this category was to gather narrations relevant to the biography and life of the Holy Prophetsa, the battles of early Islām and early Islāmic history. However, as mentioned above, these narrations as a whole, are less authentic than those of Ḥadīth. The collectors in this field were primarily concerned with gathering as much material as possible pertinent to Sīrat and history, so that no information would be left out. Succeeding generations could then easily examine and filter this material on their own accord, under the guidance of the Holy Qur’ān and authentic Aḥādīth, which is no intricate undertaking. In this regard, the early written works, which include books on geography and Arab history, are listed below:
see many companions of the Holy Prophetsa and to listen to their discourses. He was trustworthy and possessed a wide span of knowledge. However, regrettably, his book has been lost. Nonetheless, references to his work appear in various books and the verbal narrations of Imām Zuhrī also appear in many books and they are deemed tremendously reputable.
2 Al-Maghāzī Mūsā bin ‘Aqabah (Died in 141 A.H.)
Mūsā bin ‘Aqabah was among the righteous pupils of Imām Zuhrī and also met with many companions of the Holy Prophetsa. He was an exceptionally vigilant writer who would verify and evaluate every reference before accepting it. In Ḥadīth, Imām Mālik was his pupil; however, unfortunately, his book has also been lost.
3 Sīrat Ibni Isḥāq Muḥammad bin Isḥāq (Died in 151 A.H.)
Ibni Isḥāq was also one of the disciples of Imām Zuhrī and holds great esteem in the field of Sīrat. His book has been deemed a foundation in the field of Sīrat and Maghāzī. A majority of the historians after him have benefited from his foundation. Some have doubted his trustworthiness; however, this notion is incorrect. Since, his natural inclination was towards Sīrat, he does not fulfill the rigorous standard of Ḥadīth. It is for this very reason that Imām Bukharī did not accept his narrations in Ḥadīth, but did accept them in Sīrat without hesitation. His book is not readily available. Nonetheless, a better part of his work has been included in Sīrat Ibni Hishām, thus the original book is not required.
4 Sīrat Ibni Hishām ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām (Died in 213 A.H.)
He is a historian of great eminence and has been deemed worthy of reliance. His Sīrat, which is predominantly based on Sīrat Ibni Isḥāq, is exceptionally comprehensive and complete. Among the books of Sīrat, his work is accepted and renowned above all others.
5 Kitābus-Sīrat wa Kitābul-Maghāzī
Muḥammad bin ‘Umar Al-Wāqidī (130 A.H. – 207 A.H.)
This person was a historian who possessed a wide span of information. Since he was not one to differentiate between truth and falsehood, and authentic and weak, to most research scholars, his written works are not reliable and authentic. A separate note relevant to his shall be presented ahead.
6 Ṭabaqāt-e-Kabīr Muḥammad bin Sa‘d (168 A.H. – 230 A.H.)
Ibni Sa‘d was among the distinctive disciples of Wāqidī and also served as his secretary. However, despite this relationship, he himself has been deemed trustworthy and reliable. His book is based on 12 volumes which comprise a remarkably comprehensive treasure of knowledge. The first two volumes are about the life of the Holy Prophetsa and the rest deal with his companions. If the narrations of Wāqidī are put aside, this book is excellent and authentic.
and Ibni Sa‘d, he has also gathered and recorded many new narrations as well, and has left behind a superbly remarkable treasure in Sīrat and history.
8 Shamā’il-e-Tirmidhī Abū ‘Īsā Muḥammad bin ‘Īsā Tirmidhī (209 A.H. – 279 A.H.)
Tirmidhī’s collection in Ḥadīth has already been mentioned in the section of Ḥadīth. However, he also wrote a separate treatise on the virtues of the Prophetsa which describes his blessed appearance, personal habits and customs in an excellent but brief manner.
9 Kitābul-Ma‘ārif ‘Abdullāh bin Muslim bin Qutaibah (213 A.H. – 276 A.H.)
This book is comprised of Arabian history and general information about Islām, which also contains facts pertinent to the Holy Prophetsa and some of his distinct his companions.
10 Futūḥul-Buldān Abū Ja‘far Aḥmad bin Yaḥyā bin Jābir Al- Balādhurī (Died in 279 A.H.)
This book relates the victories achieved at the hands of the Holy Prophetsa and his Caliphs. It is a well-renowned book and is currently in use.
13 Tārīkh-e-Makkah Abul-Walīd Muḥammad bin ‘Abdul-Karīm Azraqī (Died in 223 A.H.)
An authentic work which comprises the early history of Makkah.
14 Ṣifatu Jazīratil-‘Arab Abū Muḥammad Ḥasan bin Aḥmad bin Ya‘qūb Al-Hamdānī Al-Ma‘rūf bi ibn Ḥā’ik
(Died in 334 A.H.)
An authentic work which comprises the early geography of Arabia.
1 This historical treasure is, in essence, the true origin and source of the Sīrat of the Holy Prophetsa and early Islāmic history. Subsequent books are all a derivative of this primary source. However, as mentioned above, all these works are not books of Sīrat, nor are they books of history in the true sense of the word. Since the topics discussed in these books naturally coincide with the life of the Holy Prophetsa and the history of early Islām, these books have been included in the books of Sīrat listed above. As previously mentioned, there are only four early books existent today which are purely on Sīrat. These books are Sīrat Ibni Hishām, Kitābus-Sīrat wal-Maghāzī li Wāqidī, Tabaqāt Ibni Sa‘d and Tārīkhuṭ-Ṭabarī. However, since Wāqidī is often reproached and rejected, practically, there remain only three main sources, namely: Ibni Hishām, Ibni Sa‘d and Ṭabarī. Undoubtedly, if the Holy Qur’ān and Ḥadīth are put to one side, the true foundation of Sīrat is laid on these 3 primary books.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Section: I-Early Sources of Sirat & Islamic History | Navigation: « Previous: [Books of Exegesis] | Next: [A Brief Note on Waqidi] »